Leonard Cohen - Hallelujah (original studio version)+Lyrics

[evaodilia33]

Wow.... it took my breath away

[cdkgb]

"It doesn't matter which you heard, the holy or the broken hallelujah..."

[DiskDrive]

Greatest song ever! You should see this: Cut and Paste the phrase "Amazing! 11 year old girl sings Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" with Shaun Hopper" in the search window above to see a truly moving version of this song.

[jayarte2002]

Damn, forgot to say, been listening to Cohen since I was about 15 (I'm now 55) and never get tired of him.

[jayarte2002]

What I love about Leonard Cohen is the sheer poetic quality of all his lyrics. Oh yes, and the way he portrays women; wonderful.

[icecold960]

to the backup-singers... SHUT UP AND LET THE MAN SING!!! WE DIDN'T COME HERE TO HEAR YOU!

[Pierrelestafier]

Took me a while to find the good one (this one).

[comicguitar]

hello im 11 years old and i like this music.

Will a fuck be given this day?

[TheMONKEYSHINEZ]

I MAY,OR MAY NOT BE PART OF THE HERD....LMAO

[TheMONKEYSHINEZ]

SO MANY LEGENDARY ROCKSTARS DREW INSPIRATION FROM THIS SONG......WHY? OBJECTIVELY AS POSSIBLE,I HEARD AND ANALYSED THIS SONG....ITS,OKAY AND LISTENABLE....BUT NOT TOO HEARTWRENCHING

[Dmachanic]

David (minor) wrote that he had falls in his life but that god (Major) lifts him up. A broken Hallelujah would be one that is not worthy of God but god forgives anyway because He is:

Psalm 89:14

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before Your face.

[bobflorence456]

This song isn't about god. It's about him comparing love with someone with the love of god. It's not about god, it just compares it to his love.

[ga55fish]

fibbadib. I was about 19 when I realised there was something about LC's lyrics that repaid repeated listenings. I am now 62 and have been returning to his work for 43 years! So glad I can now trust you to carry it on. All the very best to you.

[97loveandpeace]

I'm 14, When i listen to modern "music" I feel ashamed i was born into this generation, but when i listen to a song like this then that modern "music" becomes noise.

[StuddedYam]

Do people get that this song, like much of Cohen's songs, (and poetry), is about sex?

[multical100]

@StuddedYam It's about sex; but also about having the gift of music; 5000 years of jewish history with the minor falls of men and the major lifts of God ( In David and Samson) and the inevitable meeting with God in the end.

[MrRokendrolowiec]

Thanks Leonard for the music. You speak to our hearts with your art.

[MrPajf]

For some reason, I picture Leanord Neemoy singing this song. Which, of course, only makes it better.

[guinness13]

Other versions may be sung more perfectly - but Cohen sings it with the mournful groan it needs. Christians have tried to appropriate the song as an exultation, a song about faith and religion. It's not. So very not.

[desuTHEGAMEdesu]

@guinness13 exactly im a christian but im not a dipshit like 99% of my religion. fuck i even question jesus' existence. but this song is about regardless of your belief humans are just known for trying to outplay and keep one another down, but for what just so you can hold more power then another person.

[The22on]

As a songwriter myself, here's what I like about cohen's version: YOU CAN HEAR ALL THE WORDS!!. You don't need to call up the lyrics in another window.

[kikmaster007]

Seems like when he sings, he sings from his soul to yours. So emotional

[talitha00cumi]

Raw. So Cohen. Emotion in music. So Cohen.

[Charl3z523]

Best version. It's so much darker when he sings it, just like the lyrics are. The background music fits perfectly as well. I feel like every other version sounds kiddish. Anyone else agree?

[reedster222]

I mean Cale John cale damn spell check!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[reedster222]

This is such a great song I prefer john cakes rendition of the song but this is still great love the song!!!!!

[aznoh1000]

He sang this song brilliant. He is my gott.

[GhostG0D]

The song that goes through everyone's head the first time they don't use a condom. <3

[Meta1Head91]

My parents haven't met yet and I think this is better than Justin Gayber.

[xtreemrock]

@Meta1Head91 wtf?



[sTapleEVA]

this is the original, and the worst version

[maxitoh23]

@sTapleEVA i happen to disagree, i think his voice is perfect for this

[SuperDylanFox]

Ugh. Right before this song, of course, there was an ad for Mike Posner's Looks Like Sex >_>

[soulsinthesky]

this isn't singing.. hes talking the lyrics.

[10XxbradxX10]

@soulsinthesky thanks for stating the obvious

[CelticaRose1]

I love these lyrics, they're amazing, I'm just not crazy about the way he sings it. He is an amazing composer. &@EdTheGuitar: Really? Everyone is entitled to their opinions. Killing people doesn't solve anything, it just creates problems (along the lines of "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.")

[keinve2]

@CelticaRose1 ... of course, that's just a funny comment not intended to be taken seriously and express.

[keinve2]

@keinve2 FUCKING CAT

- and express annoyance for people disliking this song.

[Killermike2178]

Leonard Cohen sounds like God!

[lofabred]

If I were stranded on an island and could only bring one mix CD, this song would be on it.

[BeardedCatPharoh]

I wonder how many lives have been created due to this song

[MsMaydole]

El nombre Alelujah significac ADOREN A JAH, ES DECIR JEHOVÁ. ¡PRECIOSO!

[officialjbbeverley]

One of the best songs ever written. Cohen is a genius.

[neonug14]

Original and creative

[FunChainsaw]

@officialjbbeverley I listen primarily to death/ thrash/ black metal, and I could not agree with you more

[AbbeyRoadkill1]

This may be the greatest song ever written. Thanx, Leonard.

[Kissbear]

Can we get a new word that combines Haunting and Beautiful?

[NintendoMaster098]

@Kissbear Bauntiful

[gilboagilboa]

If you really want to understand this song you've got to read Samuel I&II from the bible (and perhaps Psalms as well). It is (among other things) a brilliant meditation on the life of King David.

[multical100]

I think for those who are musicians this song have a diferent apeal.

[OmgNtkIdc]

one of my favorite song!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[doUcare4music]

original song writer.. and best rendition

[bainmarie]

Hope I will be able to cross my legs like his if & when I reach his age !! Love you Leonard .

[grobn]

@bainmarie Start meditating now and you probably will!

[flibbadib]

I'm 19 years old and it seems some kind of miracle that this be, but Leonard Cohen is my favourite artist of all time. You might think he hasn't got a nice voice or Buckley's COVER is better. But no one has ever written lyrics that compare to Cohen's or speak to me the way they do. I absolutely adore all of his music and I have no idea how I survived the first 17 years of my life without it.

[doUcare4music]

@flibbadib Lucky you. you got youth, and good taste in poet / munition :- ) U got it all... have a great  life

[madholl1942]

@flibbadib Lucky you - I've survived 69 years without knowing about Leonard Cohen, and he is now one of my favorites. Best wishes

[TheAngryAmericanwon]

@flibbadib Leonard Cohen is the best, every time I listen to this song and because I am a musician. I hear so many messages from the lyrics! strong and powerful music here.

[HKfuntime]

@flibbadib I also have respect for good music, but it's not a miracle when people like good music. That seemed very self righteous too me, personally.

[wunziesmum]

@flibbadib Happy that you did. signed an OLD Cohen fan.

[marneyzj]

Catching up on some old Leonard Cohen to get ready for Old Ideas on Tuesday

[pelapepitas]

Just amazing; I don't understand who would not like this song.

[womanism1]

I was 16 when i first heard Cohen but i never understood him or his music. More than 3 decades later, I finally get the man.

[NintendoMaster098]

@womanism1 I'm 16 right now. I don't really get it. I kinda understand what he saying, and I get the gist of the biblical references but... I KNOW I won't understand it 100% until I much older. :'(

[MrNonchelante]

@NintendoMaster098 oh you'll understand soon enough my friend, it doesn't take years and years of age, but simply losing what you think is your one true love, it will be sad at first, and then the song will heal you afterwards !

[NintendoMaster098]

@MrNonchelante But that already happened! We met while doing a lifeguarding course, and I guess you could say we were friends. However I never said anything about it. So the course came and went and so did she. I felt bad about it for about 2 weeks. These days though, I'm kinda happy to be by myself. Maybe it's side effect? Ah well, either way I can still tell this is a beautiful song.

[TheShagalag]

*was a good mate and also jeff was like an older brother, ya know

[TheShagalag]

I have massive massive respect for Leonard as an artist but personally my favourite version of this song is the jeff Buckley version, merely because it's better to play live and jeff is a good mate. I still love Leonard Cohens version though and it will never be forgot.

[wormsraps]

~<3<3<3~

[niclasbelrra]

W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L

[whitechocolateex]

this original version is better than any other.

[ward5150]

David and Bethsheeba, also has a personal note of leonard. he wrote it . why its the best.

[amynguy]

dislike as a singer

dislike as a musician

like as a composer

[AaronIsAFreak1]

Only the devil could have disliked this!

[pushcreativity]

One of the greatest songs ever written, but this original is just awful, sorry. I just think he can't sing.

[myblueskeleton]

Proud to be Canadian when I listen to Leonard Cohen <3

[Xiaolian7]

I am a Falun Gong practitioner. Falun Dafa is a cultivation system in the Buddha School based on the principles of the Universe: 真 Truthfulness 善 Compassion 忍 Forbearance.

Since 1999 it has been brutally persecuted by the CCP in China. People are being killed, tortured, put into concentration camps and have organs harvested from live people, simply because of their belief. More than 3400 Falun Gong practitioners have died at the hands of CCP in the past 12 years.

faluninfo(.)net

[TheZnaz]

@Xiaolian7 And how does this have anything to do with this beautiful song? I'm sorry I don't know anything about this, but it would be appreciated if you didn't preach.

[kevininjc]

Best song ever written.

[EdTheGuitar]

There's only one good reason to stop listening to this song, and it is to go and kill 54 people who dislike the song.

[Innuya]

@EdTheGuitar really, advocating murder?

[chaincells]

@EdTheGuitar

You really are a total moron. I think Leonard Cohen would be ashamed if he saw he had fans that talked about others in this way.

[nafchod]

@EdTheGuitar

wow, that's so unchristian of you.

[claudia93696]

haaa..you are cute..and you are right...let's kill them..

[InterCityRaccoon]

@EdTheGuitar please tell me you're still a kid

[notnicolajames]

Want to know how he wrote this song? He said in an interview it took him 2 years and 80 verses: h t t p : // notnicolajames . wordpress . com

[F4fullpower]

Hm. I didn't know Leonard Cohen was Canadian. 

[JakobVirgil]

still better than that Jeff Suckley wank

[JakobVirgil]

Leonard a disappointment baffled king is such a dumb lyric.

Battle king is much better try it it has a better resonance.

some people.

[George6360]

@JakobVirgil (quote L.C)This world is full of conflicts and full of things that cannot be reconciled but there are moments when we can transcend the dualistic system and reconcile and embrace the whole mess and that's what I mean by Hallelujah. That regardless of what the impossibility of the situation is, there is a moment when you open your mouth and you throw open your arms and you embrace the thing and you just say 'Hallelujah! Blessed is the name. I think baffled fits better.

[George6360]

@George6360 (the rest of his quote) And you can't reconcile it in any other way except in that position of total surrender, total affirmation.

[livvibe]

I really dont like this version, even though it is the original. sorry. :L

[mimishch]

this song is very good in this version. the themes from the bible sound much more realistic and beatiful without the sex.

[killaudiokills]

he doesnt even sing much vocals but yet the song is still beautiful!!

[sabinach1]

úžasná



[iPhoneHelper918]

Most people don't realize this but this entire song each stanza related to a biblical scene, and just the way he beautifully inscribed Gods work into this song in such a poetic way, well it's astounding:)

[TheNoodlePunk]

This song is a testament to the beauty of human creativity, Cohen has done more for music in his relative anonymity than any "Star" alive today.

[BoristheOxman]

@TheNoodlePunk What about Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, BB King, Chuck Berry, Aretha Franklin, Elton John etc?

[hearmeolordfrommash]

@BoristheOxman they do not COMPARE..pale..well maybe BB...

[BoristheOxman]

@hearmeolordfrommash Shows how much you know about music...

[hearmeolordfrommash]

@BoristheOxman ...so, a "preference" of music likes shows how much one knows of music...Interesting. Must be awesome to be you and know so much

[GuyMathews1]

@TheNoodlePunk except Cohen achieved huge commercial success and indeed stardom...

[GotAmmo21]

@TheNoodlePunk I'm sure half the reason you came to this video was to talk shit about new artists. So go fuck yourself and have a good day!

[Maetel22]

@GotAmmo21 namaste, love. mankind will go on, it must.

[dalejrsbaby88]

@TheNoodlePunk I agree with you! He's written some wonderful music!

[flashderos]

@TheNoodlePunk Cohen represents my soul in song. I chuckle when I mention Cohen and they go "Who?". I like that he continues to be a secret to a lot of people.

[funzano]

Rufus Wainwright version <3

[MrMarttin]

Para antes de dormir

[50elainecoleman]

@PA1Rofraggedclause. Everyone loves Jeff Buckley's and I like it,too, but I don't think it has the passion of Cohen or Cale.

[MrFunkmastac]

@50elainecoleman agreed

[indeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed]

@50elainecoleman yes there are

[vulapykperle]

there is no lyrics!

[1stMissBianca]

@vulapykperle :) they are under the "show more" button.

[BINGLEBOG1]

You got me bang to rights, i was just on a wind up, in actual fact, i do like cohen, my favourites are Story of Isaac, Bird on a wire, Stranger song and So long Marianne.

His new album looks interesting, its called "Music to commit Suicide to" ;-)

[6447912]

I have not red any of your comments before this, and I will not read any comments after this. I will not care what you might answer to this reply.

I know "..brought me here" pisses people off, it pisses me off as well. But I was brought here by Watchmen. I admit it

I enjoy this song very much, this has been my favorite song for my whole life. I've just never found this. Now, thanks to Watchmen, I have.

Every comment section has arguments on irrelevant things.

Shut up and enjoy this masterpiece!

[4urglory1]

This song moves me and no matter how many artists do this song, Leonard Cohen sings it the best.

[VvAnarchangelvV]

Did Cohen deliberately fuse the King David-Bathsheba and Samson-Delilah myths, or confuse them?

[mikeyL67]

@VvAnarchangelvV They're not myths.



[PA1RofRaggedClause]

@mikeyL67 they are actually...but do you really want to get into a theological debate on this video, or do wanna keep your beliefs to yourself and enjoy the music

[50elainecoleman]

Rufus Wainwright does a great job with the song, but the only ones who sing it with the passion it requires are Leonard Cohen and John Cale.

[PA1RofRaggedClause]

@50elainecoleman What about Jeff Buckley?

[icyflamer]

Yes, Leonard Cohen is a genius for the composition and original creation of this song but Jeff Buckley did this song freaking JUSTICE. He really sang it and I'm sure Leonard Cohen would agree. I just hope that Jeff Buckley understood exactly what this song was about or at least what "hallelujah" means.

[Jcaps4]

Good song but scary voice

[Jcaps4]

His voice scares me

[bowman62rd]

May I ask anyone out there: what year was this TIMELESS PIECE recorded? I hear elements of "old musical gear", mixed with incredibly fresh recording techniques. It sounds both old and new...and my soul simply wishes to know. Another listen, before I fall off to slumber. Hmmm...this could be my new night-time curtain call....

[MorikElm]

Such great bibilical refrence, eventhough I'm athiest I do still see the poetic beauty in putting up words like this, great song is just simply great.

[UnNombreExpectacular]

Amo esta cancion!!!!

[FLEURS83]

chanson sublime merci de ce beau partage ,amitiés et meilleurs voeux pour 2012

[CalifDivaGrrl]

DAMN. Leonard Cohen - genius!

[multical100]

The minor fall , the major lift; David certainly new about that.

[TheJenniferClayton]

You know what? I like the original lyrics better. I think the Rufus Weinright and other versions sound nice, but the original is so unique and the way he sings it really does give it a different meaning. The original lyrics make a bit more sense to me, it sounds like a complete song, complete message. The other lyrics are good but not quite as powerful to me...

[schnisha95]

this is so much more powerful than the jeff buckley version...

[brelfan]

This is my favorite version. Only Leonard Cohen sings it, and Bob Dylan covered it similarly. It's a song of a guy bitching at God. You never bitched to Your Creator? It's also a guy mad at his wife. One of the things he's mad about is she's not given him puddin. It's not necessarily a sublime message. There is a sublime aspect to even this message, mainly because Cohen can add sublime messages all over the place when he wants. But all the covers miss this message, this story, in my opinion.

[Namaechan]

So... This isn't how i remember the lyrics to this song -_- ...what happened?

Mind you, the guy sounds like a dying toad.

[chriskokkinos]

Cohen forever!

[nelsonboy4life]

@Pretendkid but the melody is different in handel's messiah, what I meant was that people don't credit this song that was covered by Jeff Buckley, Rufus Wainwright and many more.

[SuperGangstamama]

@MattDQC Call me what you want but Rufus Weinright does it a million times better

[Blessings2UForever]

This is such a lyrically poetic song. If someone doesn't get the biblical references then they might be equally "baffled" as impressed but just so ppl don't misinterpret the words they are from the Bible.

[SuperGangstamama]

That's not anywhere ad good ad the one sung by mike myers. This guy sounds like a fricken zombie

[MattDQC]

@SuperGangstamama You're an idiot.

[MsCass57]

@SuperGangstamama he wrotte ti.....you twat!!!

[preen43]

buckleys is better!

[suntwanuparp]

Best and original :)



[butterstuff30]

I miss you Miranda(Starstuff).

[NMRkid]

53 people don't really care for music, do they? And they shall take an arrow to the knee.

[erfifien]

One of the most beautiful song !

[SuperBking1340]

Take care my friend we will meet again Neil P

[heliot58]

So amazing i can't take it. Thanks for posting!

[thatkidnamedanna]

I've never heard this version. I lovee itt<333

[TheJellehBean]

@thatkidnamedanna This is the original. The other versions are covers.

[mitthila]

Honey you're right on!

[viago2]

thanks for this upload liedorex and especially for giving us the lyrics. a more interesting version lyrically is cohens more recent version which i believe to be more bitter and thus more powerful. that is the 2009 vevo version. check it out and let me know what you think. i read somewhere, many years ago, that originally this song had over 100 verses written. i dont know if its true.

[BINGLEBOG1]

I agree with your point that his work is thought provoking absolutely, but the thought that it provokes in me is that, he sings like a Toad with Tonsillitis and anyone who says otherwise, is not fully compos mentis.

If you like to hear such a racket, then that’s ok by me, but, please don't try to make out that this guy has any talent at all, apart from his sick Toad impersonation.

Do you really think he can sing? Or are you just winding us up?

[viago2]

@BINGLEBOG1 oh bingle, you are just another troll but i can forgive you cos youre funny as fuck. theres no great mystery to cohens lyrics, he just sings about sex and love r the lack/loss of it, but mostly just about sex. to get a bit of attention he throws in a generous helping or christian or judaic imagery. yep, its a simple formula but its had me hooked on this crazy sick toad for forty years. omg where the fucks my prozac gone, omg, got to go, pharmacy shuts soon.

[MsCass57]

@BINGLEBOG1 HE WROTE IT1111

[falloutgenius101]

If u hit the dislike button to this song u need to die. Simple as that

[alika207]

53 people don't really care for music, do they?

[alion277]

A man sings his own song so well-pure heaven and the bassplayer adds a spesial dimension-I find it really strange that so many people bother to listen to all these pink versions initiated by Buckley-here you have it straight from the horse's mouth. This I can believe-and truth is a beautiful thing

[bethie1941]

@alion277 I so agree! I love the rawness in his voice

[nelsonboy4life]

You know what annoys me? When I type into the search Hallelujah and I don't see Leonard Cohen at the top. This is disgraceful.

[altareggo]

@nelsonboy4life lol!! It IS a popular word... and Handel's version of it is even MORE epic, and has been around for a few hundred years longer :+).

[Pretendkid]

@nelsonboy4life ..it's because Handel wrote an equally good, if not better "Hallelujah"?

[panch0shins]

@Pretendkid I think Handel's was called "Messiah"

[Pretendkid]

@panch0shins Handel's "Messiah" is an oratorio consisting of 53 choral pieces, one of which is the famous "Hallelujah" piece